The Convergence Process and the Effects of the Economic Crisis in Central-Eastern Europe

Abstract

The economic convergence and the effects of the economic crisis is a very popular research question. In this paper I propose to examine the convergence process in Central and Eastern Europe by testing the Williamson hypothesis form a multiscalar perspective: at national and at different regional levels as well. By using time series for the GDP per capita, I will try to answer three basic issues: firstly, the trends in convergence/divergence in Central and Eastern Europe, secondly, which convergence clubs have evolved in the analysed space, and, finally, the effects of the financial and economic crisis on the convergence process.

Keywords

• Convergence club
• Economic crisis
• Central-Eastern Europe
• Williamson hypothesis